Ever heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Following these simple pre-vacation procedures can save you heartache, on the off-chance something goes wrong while you’re away on summer break:
- The best thing you can do is get someone you know to stay at your house while you’re gone, or to check in on it daily. They can bring in mail and newspapers, and keep up with the garbage collection and lawn maintenance to make it seem like you’re home. And if anything does go wrong, they’ll be around to take care of business. Be sure to give these helpers your contact info and itinerary, in case of any emergencies. (And maybe bake them some cookies as a thank you.)
- It can be exciting to tell everyone you know about your exotic travel plans, but make sure you don’t go into detail while in public places. And don’t broadcast the news over social media–you can upload all your vacation pics when you get back.
- Leave curtains and blinds just as you would when you’re at home. Not only do perpetually closed curtains tip off burglars to your absence, they also prevent neighbors and police from checking for unusual activity inside your house.
- Get a light switch timer to turn on and off your interior lights at appropriate times of day. This will save you money on your electricity bill and make it seem as if everyone is at home.
- To save energy and help protect your home from damage due to power surges, unplug any appliances that don’t need to be running while you’re gone.
- Clean out your gutters before you leave to ensure proper drainage in case of severe rain. You may also want to shut your water main off or install a warning system that will shut off your main valve if a leak is detected. Coming home to a flooded basement is a huge bummer.
- While you’re at it, have a technician out to check your air conditioner for potential leaks or problems. You might also consider installing a Wi-Fi thermostat to monitor your home’s moisture levels remotely and prevent mold from growing in damp areas of the house.
Once you’ve done everything to ensure the security of your home, you’re free to enjoy that much needed R and R. Happy traveling!